Argentina La Riojana

More updated info here: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Farmers-and-Workers/Wine/LA-RIOJANA-COOPERA...

The Co-operative range of Argentine Fairtrade wines come from the La Riojana co-op based in Chilecito in the Famatina Valley. It is the largest co-op in Argentina, and it assists many smaller communities in the local area. La Riojana also employs over 370 workers who benefit from the Fairtrade premium.

The first joint project between La Riojana and The Co-operative Group was the Tilimuqui Water Project that was completed in March 2008. This project provided a new water facility, including a well, an electric pump, one 150,000 litre and one 10,000 litre tank for a community of workers from the La Riojana co-operative and their families.

Following the completion of this project, a second joint venture was agreed to provide a new primary and secondary school for the children of Tilimuqui and the surrounding areas. At present, children are only offered schooling up to the age of 14 but this new agricultural-based school will offer children an education up to the age of 18. The Tilimuqui School Project started in October 2008 and has been split into 4 stages to ensure no disruption to existing schooling. The school project was completed in 2012. Tilimuqui secondary school specialises in agriculture, encouraging students to continue in the wine industry. It has a partnership with the local University of Chilecito, who supply teaching staff and see to management of the school. There are currently 397 pupils at the school. The first students (a cohort of 17) graduated in 2015. However, places at the school are in high demand, so the local authority is funding an extension of extra classes.